thiopental sodium at a glance
Medicine class
Short-acting barbiturate general anaesthetic
Administration
Intravenous use by trained professionals in a monitored hospital setting
Pain relief
Causes hypnosis and unconsciousness but does not itself relieve pain
Before anaesthesia
Follow the hospital’s instructions about fasting and usual medicines
What is thiopental sodium used for?
Licensed uses for the selected product include:
Starting general anaesthesia.
Providing hypnosis during balanced anaesthesia with analgesics, muscle relaxants or other anaesthetic agents.
Adjunctive control of refractory convulsive disorders, including convulsions caused by local anaesthetics.
Reducing raised pressure inside the skull when controlled ventilation is provided.
How does thiopental sodium work?
Thiopental enhances inhibitory signalling involving GABA-A receptors and depresses central nervous system activity, rapidly causing hypnosis and unconsciousness. It enters the brain quickly and then redistributes into other tissues. It does not directly relieve pain.
thiopental sodium preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 500 mg
How to take thiopental sodium
Thiopental sodium is prepared from a powder and given into a vein by a trained anaesthetic professional. Breathing, oxygen levels, circulation and anaesthetic effect are monitored. Follow the hospital’s instructions about eating, drinking and regular medicines before the procedure.
Secure intravenous placement and correct preparation are important because the solution is strongly alkaline.
After discharge, avoid alcohol and safety-critical activities until permitted by the clinical team.
thiopental sodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness or delayed waking
- Low blood pressure or changes in heart rhythm
- Slowed breathing, coughing, sneezing or airway spasm
- Shivering
- Pain, inflammation or a clot at the injection site
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including wheezing, facial or throat swelling, very low blood pressure or shock
- Severe breathing suppression or airway spasm
- Major circulatory depression
- Severe pain, pallor or tissue injury after accidental injection outside a vein or into an artery
- Marked low potassium during prolonged infusion or rebound high potassium after stopping
thiopental sodium in pregnancy
Thiopental crosses the placenta. The selected product permits use when the expected clinical benefit outweighs potential risk. Tell the anaesthetic team if you are or may be pregnant.
thiopental sodium while breastfeeding
Thiopental enters breast milk. The selected product advises temporarily suspending breastfeeding, while broader UK anaesthesia guidance generally supports restarting once the patient is awake and able to feed safely. Agree a product-specific plan with the clinical team, particularly for a premature or newborn baby.
thiopental sodium interactions
Give the anaesthetic team a complete list of medicines, supplements, alcohol and recreational substances.
Opioids, alcohol and other central nervous system depressants
Can intensify sedation and respiratory depression.
Midazolam, probenecid, metoclopramide or droperidol
Can enhance thiopental’s anaesthetic effect.
Angiotensin-II receptor blockers, nitrates, diuretics and other vasodilating antihypertensives
May increase the fall in blood pressure during anaesthesia.
Common questions about thiopental sodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is thiopental sodium a painkiller?
No. It causes hypnosis and unconsciousness but does not itself relieve pain, so analgesics may be used alongside it.
How is thiopental sodium given?
A trained anaesthetic professional prepares it from a powder and administers it into a vein in a monitored clinical setting.
Can it be used for seizures?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.